Chariessa catalina

Chariessa catalina is a recently described of checkered beetle ( Cleridae) native to North America. The species was first collected in 1969 from the Catalina Mountains of Arizona, which inspired its specific epithet. It is most closely related to Chariessa elegans, with which it shares partial geographic overlap in the southwestern United States.

Chariessa catalina imported from iNaturalist photo 265633200 on 28 March 2024 by (c) Dutza K., some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chariessa catalina: //kəˈriːsə kætəˈlaɪnə//

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Identification

Chariessa catalina can be distinguished from its Chariessa elegans by two coloration differences: the are closer to blue than black (versus darker in C. elegans), and the forebody is closer to crimson rather than the diluted-blood red coloration seen in C. elegans.

Images

Distribution

The is known from the southwestern corner of North America, with the collected in the Catalina Mountains of Arizona. It shares this general region with Chariessa elegans, though C. elegans has a more extensive range extending north toward the U.S.-Canadian border.

Seasonality

have been most frequently encountered in March, based on available collection records.

Similar Taxa

Chariessa elegansOverlapping range in southwestern North America; distinguished by darker (blacker) and more diluted red forebody coloration versus the bluer elytra and crimson forebody of C. catalina

More Details

Type locality

The was collected in the Catalina Mountains of Arizona in 1969, which provided the basis for the epithet 'catalina'.